Under Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association rules, a football ejection carries a one-game suspension as well.

“The only thing that would overturn an ejection for unsportsmanlike behavior — in order for it to be appealed — there would have to be a proven misapplication of a rule,” TSSAA executive director Bernard Childress said Saturday.

Childress said the game report submitted by Lloyd, head of the Memphis-based Mid-South Football Officials Association crew that was assigned to the contest, will be reviewed Monday and a final decision will be reached.

Lloyd declined to comment when contacted Saturday, referring all questions to the TSSAA.

Barnett was called for a personal foul. On the final play, Ensworth quarterback Coleman Goodwin scrambled to run out the clock and stepped out of bounds along his team’s sideline once the clock went to zeroes. With Goodwin clearly out of bounds and with his back to the field, Barnett shoved him from behind, causing a reaction from both teams.

“I don’t really know what happened,” Brentwood Academy coach Cody White said. “Derek got a personal foul, which was unfortunate. I saw Ricky was upset about something. It’s disappointing that it occurred. It’s tough for Ricky and those kids.

“(Lloyd) said Ricky bumped him. I wish the guy would have handled it by backing up. I certainly believe it could have been handled differently. You hate to see something like this mar a state championship. Probably both sides could have handled it better. It’s a tough way to end a game between two good football teams.”

Bowers said he did not bump Lloyd but that Lloyd bumped him.

“It’s unfortunate that the actions of an adult could rob the boys of the recognition and joy that they deserve,” Bowers said. “I think the boys and the coaches for both Brentwood Academy and our side defused the situation, that both schools behaved and did what they were supposed to do.”

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations’ rulebook, officials retain jurisdiction “through the referee’s declaration of the end of the fourth period or overtime.”

David Braemer, Ensworth head of school, said Bowers’ behavior didn’t warrant such an action.

“From all that I saw and heard, there is nothing that Ricky did that would justify his being ejected, and he has my complete support,” Braemer said.